Several pauses needed before finishing this book. A gut-wrenching, harrowing tale. Painful and beautiful. A story about two Afghan women whose lives become intertwined during a time of ruthless and unforgiving war.
My aim: read ten books this year, providing short reviews for each. I’ll record them in the chart below, which I'll add to with every read.
| Date complete | Title | Author | Rating (1-10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03.04.24 | Dune | Frank Herbert | 8.5 |
| 20.07.24 | A Thousand Splendid Suns | Khaled Hosseini | 9.5 |
As you can see, “A Thousand Splendid Suns” is the second text of the set ten I’ve challenged myself to read before the close of ‘24… So, it appears I’m lagging behind… quite significantly. But, to be fair, I have a few books on the go presently. (I had to start others as this one was far too heartbreaking to read in one sitting.)
“Love can move a person to act in unexpected ways, and lead them to overcome the most daunting obstacles with a startling heroism”.
This tale… gripping and suspenseful, and masterfully spun, tells a story that is all too real for many. In the Afterword, which is worth the read, the author elaborates on the story's context. He reiterates that the Afghan refugee crisis has been one of the most severe around the globe. At the height of the exodus “as many as eight million Afghans were living abroad as refugees.” War, oppression and famine are faced by people like Tariq and his family – a horrific reality. Still raw from finishing the book not twenty minutes ago, I’m writing this with tears in my eyes.
The Khaled Hosseini Foundation, was established after the author visited northern Afghanistan in September 2007 – almost two decades ago. The Foundation continues to make a meaningful and enduring difference, collaborating with the likes of UNHCR to offer aid to those who need it. I understand that the book is fictional, and that the author has taken liberties with place names and translations. But so much of it is steeped in inconceivable truth. If you’re interested in learning more from the author’s point of view… I’d recommend watching the following:
Anyway, back to my thoughts about the book… in case I haven't made it clear: this is a hard, hard read. Not for the faint of heart. Lost count of the times I broke down, having to exit cafes with a bowed head or struggling to take a measure of calm whilst catching public transport… In fact, I forbid myself from reading the book on my morning commutes to work because I would enter the studio full of vitriolic anger against the injustice faced by the Afghan people during Taliban rule, primarily women. Pages 270 and 271, which listed the new laws enforced after the takeover in September 1996, put me in a state of shock.
I had to read the last few chapters curled up on a couch in the safety of my own home, free to sob – which I did frequently. I should have expected something this raw and upsetting… having read the “The Kite Runner” many years ago. (An equally harrowing tale that leaves you broken… still recuperating years later.)
"It's our lot in life, Mariam. Women like us. We endure. It's all we have."
This book… instead of encountering stories filled with hate about the Taliban and terrorism, it's refreshing to see events portrayed from a perspective that reveals the harsh realities faced by countless thousands in such countries. Although it is fiction, I find it commendable and remarkable how Hosseini's stories help shift readers' opinions about the people affected by wars in these regions.
But don't be put off by my miserable synopsis - there are passages that fill your heart with hope and happiness. It's not all bleak. I rate this text highly… my only qualm is the emotional impact it delivers, and the quickness with which the plot turned. But that’s about it. I was going to note something about a lack of character depth, but on second thoughts I think Hosseini expertly crafts the individuals in his text… subtle in their development from beginning to end. Where even in the evil, vile Rasheed there is something good that can be gleaned in the way he cares for his son.
Unlike with “the Kite-Runner”, where some imagination is required to read between the lines of horrific events, “A Thousand Splendid Suns” exposes every form of brutality clearly and at length. It's hard. But it’s worth it. Worth every tear.
Happy reading, Hivers. 📚
Two down, eight to go.
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Photographs: unless otherwise noted, all images were taken by me with an iPhone 8
